Local Nurse Recognized For Extraordinary Gift To Patient

DETROIT (WWJ) - A metro Detroit nurse went above and beyond to give her patient a second chance at life.

The opportunity to connect with patients is why Caryn Knappen became a nurse, but what she did for one patient takes the definition of caring to a whole new level.

Knappen in 2006 became a private care nurse Tim Rolfing — who'd lost the use of his legs after a hit and run accident in 2002, and then lost kidney function after contracting a life-threatening infection in 2005.

When it became apparent that Tim needed a kidney transplant, Caryn volunteered to be tested.

She was a perfect match.

"The best way I can describe it is that, yes, it was a higher power that just created this overwhelming strong feeling that this is why I was here, and this is what I was gonna day," Caryn said, "and I just... I went with that feeling."

This month marks the 7th anniversary of Caryn's amazing gift to patient Tim.

Because of that selfless act, and her continued dedication to her patients, Caryn's been nominated for a 2014 Nightingale Award for Nursing Excellence.

She'll be recognized this Thursday, along with more than a dozen other nursing professionals, at a special event presented by Oakland University's School of Nursing.

[Get all the details HERE].